DIPHENHYDRAMINE
Patient Counselling
Patient Counseling1,2,3
- This medication will relieve the pain, itching, and inflammation caused by mild urticaria. Patients should start to experience some relief within 30 minutes.
- The recommended dosing is:
- Patients may experience cognitive impairment, sedation, dry mouth and nose, constipation, and difficulty urinating.
- Children and elderly may experience paradoxical stimulation while taking diphenhydramine.
- Elderly patients may be more susceptible to the cognitive impairment caused by diphenhydramine. Generally diphenhydramine should be avoided in elderly patients.
- Combining diphenhydramine with other CNS depressant, such as alcohol or opioids, can enhance the sedating effects of diphenhydramine. Avoid this combination if possible.
- Diphenhydramine use is considered safe in pregnancy and likely safe in breast-feeding women.
- See a physician if symptoms have not resolved in 7 days of treatment.
References:
1. Patient Self-Care. 2nd Edition. Canadian Pharmacists Association 2010. Chapter 72 – Insect Bites and Stings. Nancy Kleinman. Pages 691-700.
2. Regier L, Jensen B, Downey S et al. OTC (Over-The-Counter) Products: Allergy-systemic. RxFiles. 2013. Available at: <http://www.rxfiles.ca/rxfiles/uploads/documents/members/CHT-OTCs.pdf >. Accessed June 4, 2014.
3. Lexicomp Online. Diphenhydramine [Internet].2014. Available from: http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/1827019#f_adverse-reactions
- This medication will relieve the pain, itching, and inflammation caused by mild urticaria. Patients should start to experience some relief within 30 minutes.
- The recommended dosing is:
- Adults: 25-50mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed for symptom relief (Maximum of 300mg/day)
- Children under 12: 5mg/kg/day in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours as needed for symptom relief
- 6-11years: Do not exceed 150mg/day
- 2-5: Do not exceed 37.5mg/day
- Patients may experience cognitive impairment, sedation, dry mouth and nose, constipation, and difficulty urinating.
- Children and elderly may experience paradoxical stimulation while taking diphenhydramine.
- Elderly patients may be more susceptible to the cognitive impairment caused by diphenhydramine. Generally diphenhydramine should be avoided in elderly patients.
- Combining diphenhydramine with other CNS depressant, such as alcohol or opioids, can enhance the sedating effects of diphenhydramine. Avoid this combination if possible.
- Diphenhydramine use is considered safe in pregnancy and likely safe in breast-feeding women.
- See a physician if symptoms have not resolved in 7 days of treatment.
References:
1. Patient Self-Care. 2nd Edition. Canadian Pharmacists Association 2010. Chapter 72 – Insect Bites and Stings. Nancy Kleinman. Pages 691-700.
2. Regier L, Jensen B, Downey S et al. OTC (Over-The-Counter) Products: Allergy-systemic. RxFiles. 2013. Available at: <http://www.rxfiles.ca/rxfiles/uploads/documents/members/CHT-OTCs.pdf >. Accessed June 4, 2014.
3. Lexicomp Online. Diphenhydramine [Internet].2014. Available from: http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/1827019#f_adverse-reactions